15-03-2025
East Texas Food Bank responds to Trump administration funding cut
TYLER, Texas (KETK) – The East Texas Food Bank has responded to recent cuts President Donald Trump's administration has made to U.S. Department of Agriculture food bank and school food funding programs.
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The Associated Press reported that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had cut more than a $1 billion dollars in funding to two programs which help provide locally grown food to schools and foodbanks.
In a statement obtained by KETK on Friday, East Texas Food Bank CEO David Emerson responded to the USDA's funding cuts.
'This program was critical to local farmers, growers and ranchers in our region,' East Texas Food Bank CEO David Emerson said. 'Though potential funding and our ability to purchase food could be impacted by this decision, the East Texas Food Bank remains committed to sourcing fresh produce so we can provide healthy food for the communities we serve.'
The East Texas Food Bank reported serving 31,000,000 meals to over 200,000 local households in the fiscal last year as a part of their vision for a hunger-free East Texas.
The Hill identified the two programs receiving the cuts as the USDA's Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program and the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller put own his own statement calling the cuts 'a fair and consistent approach' on Wednesday.
'I support a fair and consistent approach, which is precisely what the Trump Administration is implementing. This is not a final decision—it's a reassessment. There's always room for refinement, and we may see a revised version of the policy down the road that is even better for agriculture producers. I want to thank our farmers and ranchers, local food banks, school nutrition departments and Farm Fresh Network members for their dedication to providing fresh, nutritious meals to Texas students and families. Your hard work is building a healthier, more sustainable future for our state.'
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller
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Miller said the cuts are intended to eliminate 'fraud, abuse and waste' and that the Texas Department of Agriculture doesn't depend on this funding because they operate their own Farm to School and Farm to Food Bank programs.
Before the USDA's programs were implemented, Miller said that Texas schools spent more than $257.8 million on local food.
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